SUMMER SAFETY

     The hot summer days are upon us and it is so exciting to take the kids out into the warm sunshine to play and interact.  But it is important to remember that there are safety issues we have to follow.  Don't forget the sunscreen, keep a close eye on children when water is present, and protect your family from food poisoning at the family picnic.

     It is easy to forget the sunscreen at home, but within a few minutes a happy baby can become a very upset and badly burned child.  Make sure to carry a small container of sunscreen with you in the diaper bag or a purse, just in case you find yourself and your family outside with the sun burning down on you.  Carrying an extra container can assist you in avoiding a trip to the doctor or to the E.R. due to severe sunburn.

     Water, although a refreshing and fun activity, can turn ugly if children are not properly monitored.  Do not allow children to be unsupervised when around water.  A infant or toddler can drown in a mere foot of water.  Even a bucket filled with water can be a hazard to a mobile infant.  Keep a close eye on your children!  Sometimes when exploring a creek, you may become distracted.  Avoid distractions and instead involve your little ones in the activity you are doing by the water.  This way you can avoid accidents and allow an opportunity to bond.

     Food poisoning occurs quite frequently over the summer months.  Food is left out at parties and picnics when the temperature is perfect for food to spoil quickly.  What was good an hour ago, could cause days of stomach pain and even a trip to the doctor.  Be sure to put all food away as soon as possible after the family has eaten.  This will help keep your whole family healthy and protect the food you worked so hard to prepare from spoiling.

     Keeping these things in mind will help make your summer accident free and fun!  Now, go out and enjoy the summertime activities, before the snow starts falling!

Anger

Anger can sometimes become the cause of some distorted and disturbing family experiences.  It is important to talk about anger and how to express anger with your children.  Some children, and adults, find themselves resorting to physical harm to others, self, or to items around them. 

The Nurturing Parenting Program suggests that children be taught how to express anger in appropriate ways.  This can be done by starting with a simple discussion about anger.  Ask questions about what "anger" means, about a time when your child got angry, and about how they express anger.  Talk about scenarios in which a child might get angry.  Ask them what they would do in each of those situations.  Try to guide them into making good decisions on how to express their anger.  It's okay to get angry, but we all need to know how to express anger in a positive way.  Teach your children to use their "personal power" in a positive way (Bavolek, 2007).  There are three rules in expressing anger that the Nurturing Parenting Program suggests, and they are:

1.  No hurting touch or criticism to others.

2.  No hurting touch or criticism to yourself.

3.  No hurting touch to the environment.  (Bavolek, 2007)

After discussing these rules with your children, teach them how to be angry without causing harm to others, self, or the environment.  They can show anger in facial expressions and in an "angry dance" but not by breaking the three rules of anger expression (Bavolek, 2007).

Reference:

Bavolek, S.   (2007).  Nurturing Skills For Families.  Family Development Resources, Inc., p10.